Friday, February 2, 2018

SnowdropGalanthus
Galanthus (Greek gála "milk", ánthos "flower") is a small genus of about 20 species of bulbous perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. Snowdrops have been known since the earliest times under various names but were named Galanthus in 1753. Most species flower in winter, before the vernal equinox... but some flower in early spring and late autumn. (Wikipedia)

Trans Mountain pipeline project will be built, prime minister vows
The prime minister is standing his ground on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion as Alberta feuds with B.C. over new restrictions on shipments of bitumen that would flow through pipeline networks from Alberta to the West Coast. "We have a federal government to look out for the national interest above various disagreements within the provinces and we did exactly that on the Trans Mountain pipeline," Justin Trudeau said in an interview Thursday with CBC Radio's Edmonton AM. "I'm not going to opine on disagreements between the provinces in this case," said Trudeau, who is in Edmonton for a town hall meeting at MacEwan University Thursday night, part of a series of meetings in Western Canada. "We're just going to reiterate that the decision we made was in the national interest and we're going to move forward with that decision, which means we're going to get the Trans Mountain pipeline built." Wallis Snowdon reports. (CBC) See also: Scott Moe wades into B.C.-Alberta dispute over Trans Mountain pipeline Scott Moe hasn't been sworn in as Saskatchewan's premier, but he's already taking a page from Brad Wall's playbook — wading into an out-of-province dispute over pipelines. Moe slammed the B.C. government's proposed new restrictions on shipments of bitumen that would flow through Kinder Morgan Inc.'s Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast. Alex Brockman reports. (CBC)

Researcher Uses Drones To Learn How Whales Respond To Noise Pollution
The whales off the West Coast depend on sound to communicate, navigate and find food. So, what happens to their health when we fill their habitat with noisy ship traffic? Oregon State University researcher Dr. Leigh Torres is leading an ambitious new research project to find out, using drones and a variety of other tools to do health check-ups on the whales. She and her research team are making regular trips to the ocean off the coast of Newport. The area is prime feeding ground for gray whales and also sees plenty of noisy ships and fishing vessels going in and out of Yaquina Bay. Cassandra Profita reports. (OPB/EarthFix)

'Enough is enough:' Alberta to suspend electricity purchase talks with B.C
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says her government is suspending talks with British Columbia on the purchase of electricity from the western province. It’s the first step in Alberta’s fight against the B.C. government’s proposal to obstruct the Kinder Morgan oil pipeline expansion project by banning increased shipments of diluted bitumen to the province’s coast. Up to $500 million annually for B.C.’s coffers hangs in the balance, Notley said. (Canadian Press)

RE Sources' Executive Director addresses "anti-farm" accusations
Crina Hoyer, executive director of RE Sources, writes: "As you may have heard, RE Sources' reputation is under attack. We've stayed silent for over a year as false accusations have been hurled, and we've continued to engage in peaceful negotiations, honest conversations, and compromise behind the scenes. Despite our best efforts to collaborate, our opponents are using this issue to divide our community and forward a larger agenda. We don't want to engage in dissention within our community — quite the opposite. We want to promote unity during a time of overwhelming polarization, but we are being drawn into a conflict by a relentless front group, and we need to set the record straight. We hope you will continue to stand with us in promoting the truth." Watch: Choosing between clean water and sustainable farming is a false choice

Diesel spilled after barge sinks in Howe Sound
Diesel was spilled into Howe Sound after a barge sank near Port Mellon, B.C., on Wednesday. The Canadian Coast Guard said it responded with two of its ships after the vessel went down in the early morning. A coast guard statement said the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation, Squamish Nation and provincial officials all responded as well. A boom was placed around the spill area, about 17 kilometres north of Gibsons, as crews worked to recover "a surface sheen of diesel" from the water. (CBC)

Colstrip struggles to imagine future without coal
It's an uncertain time in Colstrip these days, as the shutdown date for the town's massive coal-fired power plants inches closer. Puget Sound Energy, which owns half of the plant's Units 1 & 2, announced last year that June 2022 is the date the two oldest of the Colstrip plants will close. The Colstrip Power Complex, built in the 1970s and expanded the next decade, sits in the heart of the community, a throwback to the old company towns of Montana's past that seemingly sprouted up overnight. Jay Kohn reports. (MTN News)

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Salish Sea Communications provides communications and public relations services that raise visibility and engage audiences. Drawing on over 30 years experience in private, public and not-for-profit work, Mike Sato brings to you his skills and insights in developing and carrying out your print, electronic and social media projects and products. "I've been in the communications business since 1977 starting with community weekly newspapers then working for Seattle City Light, the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, Hawaiian Electric Company and, for 20 years, People For Puget Sound." Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told. WA State UBI #601395482